U.S. patent number 4,880,045 [Application Number 07/169,978] was granted by the patent office on 1989-11-14 for window shade assembly.
Invention is credited to Deborah L. Stahler.
United States Patent |
4,880,045 |
Stahler |
November 14, 1989 |
Window shade assembly
Abstract
A window shade assembly including a flexible window shade and a
pair of guide tracks adapted to receive and support the window
shade. The flexible window shade is sized to cover a window and
formed to have a plurality of pleats therein. Each of the pleats is
defined by a first fold portion and a second fold portion which
together form a double fold. The flexible window shade is also
formed to have the pleats substantially from one end to the other
end thereof. The pair of guide tracks is adapted to be fixedly
mounted to a frame of the window in spaced parallel relation. Each
of the guide tracks is mounted to extend generally perpendicular to
the longitudinal direction of the pleats. The guide tracks also are
adapted to be spaced by a distance sufficient for positioning the
pleats therebetween. By utilizing spring-biased rollers or
non-rotational sliders and loose-fitting slide members, the
flexible window shade can be moved in accordianlike fashion.
Inventors: |
Stahler; Deborah L. (New Lenox,
IL) |
Family
ID: |
22618001 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/169,978 |
Filed: |
March 18, 1988 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/84.04;
160/207 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B
9/262 (20130101); E06B 9/327 (20130101); E06B
2009/135 (20130101); E06B 2009/2625 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E06B
9/28 (20060101); E06B 9/327 (20060101); E06B
9/262 (20060101); E06B 9/26 (20060101); E06B
9/24 (20060101); E06B 003/94 () |
Field of
Search: |
;160/84.1,207,282,285 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
10060 |
|
1902 |
|
GB |
|
370176 |
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Apr 1932 |
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GB |
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Primary Examiner: Johnson; Blair M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Wood, Dalton, Phillips Mason &
Rowe
Claims
I claim:
1. A window shade assembly, comprising:
a flexible window shade sized to cover a window and formed to have
a plurality of pleats therein, each of said pleats being defined by
a first fold portion and a second fold portion which together form
a double fold, said flexible window shade being formed to have said
pleats substantially from one end to the other end thereof;
a pair of guide tracks to be fixedly mounted to a frame of said
window in spaced parallel relation, said guide tracks to extend
generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said
pleats, said guide tracks also to be spaced by a distance
sufficient for positioning said pleats therebetween;
each of said pleats having a projectable fold line between said
first and second fold portions forming said double fold thereof,
said projectable fold lines being movable from positions generally
corresponding to a plane defined by said guide tracks when said
flexible window shade is closed to cover said window to positions
gradually increasing in distance therefrom to maximum projecting
positions as said flexible window shade is opened to reveal said
window, each of said pleats also being integrally associated by
means of a non-projectable fold line with the next adjacent of said
pleats; and
retention means associated with each of said ends of said flexible
window shade, said retention means being adapted to operate in
cooperation with said guide tracks in a manner providing a
resistance to movement only for said ends of said flexible window
shade sufficient to maintain at least one of said ends of said
window shade in any selected position of adjustment relative to
said guide tracks, and slide means associated with opposite ends of
every one of said non-projectable fold lines;
said slide means cooperating with said guide tracks for moving said
non-projectable fold lines of said flexible window shade relative
thereto, said slide means comprising loose fitting slide members
secured to said flexible window shade, one of said slide members
being secured to each of said opposite ends of said non-projectable
fold lines, said slide members also each being disposed in captured
free-sliding fashion within one of said guide tracks so as to
facilitate free-sliding movement of said flexible window shade
inwardly of said ends thereof for positioning said flexible window
shade in any selected position of adjustment relative to said guide
tracks in accordian-like fashion, said slide members maintaining
said non-projectable fold lines of said flexible window shade in
said plane defined by said guide tracks;
whereby said retention means can be moved relative to said guide
tracks to move said flexible window shade in accordian-like fashion
from a closed position covering said window to an open position
revealing said window by moving at least one of said ends of said
flexible window shade against resistance to movement of said
retention means relative to said guide tracks so as to be in close
proximity at any point therealong.
2. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 1 including
stiffening means associated with said projectable fold line of each
of said pleats, said flexible window shade being formed of a
sheet-like material, said stiffening means being defined by a loop
formed in said sheet-like material at each of said projectable fold
lines.
3. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 2 wherein each of
said loops in said sheet-like material is adapted to receive a
dowel-like member, and including a dowel-like member in each of
said loops in said sheet-like material to further define said
stiffening means.
4. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 1 including
stiffening means associated with said non-projectable fold lines
between each of said pleats, said flexible window shade being
formed of a sheet-like material, said stiffening means being
defined by a loop formed in said sheet-like material at each of
said non-projectable fold lines.
5. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 1 including
stiffening means associated with said ends of said flexible window
shade, said flexible window shade being formed of a sheet-like
material, said stiffening means being defined by a loop formed in
said sheet-like material at said ends of said flexible window
shade.
6. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 5 wherein each of
said loops in said sheet-like material is adapted to received a
dowel-like member, and including a dowel-like member in each of
said loops in said sheet-like material to further define said
stiffening means.
7. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 6 wherein said
retention means includes a roller operatively associated with
opposite ends of each of said dowel-like members, said rollers each
being disposed in captured rolling relation within one of said
guide tracks, said rollers also each being biased by a spring away
from the respective one of said dowel-like members toward the
corresponding one of said guide tracks.
8. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 6 wherein said
retention means includes a non-rotational slider operatively
associated with opposite ends of each of said dowel-like members,
said dowel-like members comprising conduit-like members and said
non-rotational sliders each being disposed in captured sliding
relation within one of said guide tracks, said non-rotational
sliders also each including a spring applying a relative biasing
force between the respective one of said conduit-like members and
said guide tracks.
9. A window shade assembly, comprising:
a flexible window shade sized to cover a window and formed to have
a plurality of pleats therein, said flexible window shade being
formed of a sheet-like material and each of said pleats being
defined by a first fold portion and a second fold portion which
together form a double fold, said flexible window shade being
formed to have said pleats substantially from one end to the other
end thereof;
a pair of guide tracks to be fixedly mounted to a frame of said
window in spaced parallel relation, said guide tracks to extend
generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said
pleats, said guide tracks also to be spaced by a distance
sufficient for positioning said pleats therebetween;
each of said pleats having a projectable fold line between said
first and second fold portions forming said double fold thereof,
said projectable fold lines being movable from positions generally
corresponding to a plane defined by said guide tracks when said
flexible window shade is closed to cover said window to positions
gradually increasing in distance therefrom to maximum projecting
positions as said flexible window shade is opened to reveal said
window, each of said pleats also being integrally associated by
means of a non-projectable fold line with the next adjacent of said
pleats;
stiffening means associated with said projectable fold lines of
said pleats, said stiffening means being defined by a loop formed
in said sheet-like material at each of said projectable fold
lines;
stiffening means associated with said non-projectable fold lines
between each of said pleats, said stiffening means being defined by
a loop formed in said sheet-like material at each of said
non-projectable fold lines;
stiffening means associated with said ends of said flexible window
shade, said stiffening means being defined by a loop formed in said
sheet-like material at each of said ends of said flexible window
shade;
retention means associated with said ends of said flexible window
shade, said retention means being adapted to operate in cooperation
with said guide tracks in a manner providing a resistance to
movement only for said ends of said flexible window shade relative
to said guide tracks sufficient to maintain both of said ends of
said flexible window shade in any selected position of adjustment
relative to said guide tracks, and slide means associated with
opposite ends of every one of said non-projectable fold lines;
said slide means cooperating with said guide tracks for moving said
non-projectable fold lines of said flexible window shade, said
slide means comprising slide members captured in free-sliding
fashion within said guide tracks so as to facilitate free-sliding
movement of said flexible window shade inwardly of said ends
thereof for positioning said flexible window shade in any selected
position of adjustment relative to said guide tracks in
accordian-like fashion, said slide members maintaining said
non-projectable fold lines of said flexible window shade in said
plane defined by said guide tracks;
each of said loops in said sheet-like material at each of said ends
of said flexible window shade being adapted to receive a dowel-like
member, and including a dowel-like member in each of said loops in
said sheet-like material at each of said ends of said flexible
window shade to further define said stiffening means;
said retention means including a roller operatively associated with
opposite ends of each of said dowel-like members in each of said
loops at said ends of said flexible window shade, said rollers each
being disposed in captured rolling relation within one of said
guide tracks, said rollers also each being biased by a spring away
from the respective one of said dowel-like members toward the
corresponding one of said guide tracks;
one of said slide members being secured to each of said opposite
ends of said non-projectable fold lines;
whereby said rollers can be moved relative to said guide tracks to
move said flexible window shade in accordian-like fashion from a
closed position covering said window to an open position revealing
said window by moving said ends of said flexible window shade
against resistance to movement of said retention means relative to
said guide tracks so as to be in close proximity at any point
therealong.
10. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 9 wherein each of
said loops in said sheet-like material at said projectable fold
lines is adapted to receive one of said dowel-like members, and
including a dowel-like member in each of said loops in said
sheet-like material at said projectable fold lines to further
define said stiffening means.
11. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 9 wherein each of
said dowel-like members has a bore in opposite ends thereof, said
rollers each including a spindle portion adapted to be disposed in
one of said bores in loose-fitting fashion for sliding and rolling
movement relative thereto, said rollers also each including a
slotted wheel portion adapted to be captured within one of said
guide tracks.
12. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 11 wherein said
guide tracks each include a pair of inwardly projecting flanges
defining a narrowed track opening, said slotted wheels each
including a first wheel portion adapted to be disposed within said
guide track and a second wheel portion adapted to be disposed
outwardly of said guide track, said slotted wheels also each
including a slot between said first and second wheel portions to
receive said inwardly projecting flanges.
13. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 12 wherein said
springs are disposed about said spindle portions of said rollers so
as to be disposed between said dowel-like members and said second
wheel portions to bias said rollers towards said guide tracks.
14. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 9 including
adjustment means associated with said rollers and said dowel-like
members, said adjustment means being adapted to vary the extent of
projection of said rollers from said dowel-like members to
accommodate differences in spacing between said guide tracks, said
adjustment means also being adapted to vary the force by which said
rollers are biased by said springs toward said guide tracks.
15. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 14 wherein each
of said dowel-like members has a bore in opposite ends thereof,
said retention means including a threaded insert in each of said
bores in said dowel-like members and a threaded roller receiving
extension for threaded engagement with each of said threaded
inserts, said threaded roller receiving extensions being adapted to
project at varying distances from said dowel-like members.
16. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 15 including
means for securing said threaded roller receiving extensions in
selected positions of adjustment, said threaded roller receiving
extensions each having a main bore interrupted by an internal
shoulder having a smaller bore therethrough, said spring being
disposed in said main bore to rest against said internal
shoulder.
17. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 16 wherein said
rollers each include a spindle portion having a major and a minor
diameter portion, said major diameter portion being adapted to be
disposed in said main bore of said threaded roller receiving
extension in loose-fitting fashion for sliding and rolling movement
relative thereto and in engagement with said spring, said minor
diameter portion being adapted to be disposed for movement through
said smaller bore when said roller compresses said spring by
movement toward said dowel-like member.
18. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 9 wherein said
rollers each include a slotted wheel portion adapted to be captured
within one of said guide tracks, said guide tracks each including a
pair of inwardly projecting flanges defining a narrow track
opening, said slotted wheel portions each including a first wheel
portion adapted to be disposed within said guide track and a second
wheel portion adapted to be disposed outwardly of said guide track,
said slotted wheel portions also each including a slot between said
first and second wheel portions to receive said inwardly projecting
flanges.
19. A window shade assembly, comprising:
a flexible window shade sized to cover a window and formed to have
a plurality of pleats therein, said flexible window shade being
formed of a sheet-like material and each of said pleats being
defined by a first fold portion and a second fold portion which
together form a double fold, said flexible window shade being
formed to have said pleats substantially from one end to the other
end thereof;
a pair of guide tracks to be fixedly mounted to a frame of said
window in spaced parallel relation, said guide tracks to extend
generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of said
pleats, said guide tracks also to be spaced by a distance
sufficient for positioning said pleats therebetween;
each of said pleats having a projectable fold line between said
first and second fold portions forming said double fold thereof,
said projectable fold line being movable from a position generally
corresponding to a plane defined by said guide tracks when said
flexible window shade is closed to cover said window to positions
gradually increasing in distance therefrom to a maximum projecting
position as said flexible window shade is opened to reveal said
window, each of said pleats also being integrally associated by
means of a non-projectable fold line with the next adjacent of said
pleats;
stiffening means associated with said projectable fold lines of
each of said pleats, said stiffening means being defined by a loop
formed in said sheet-like material at each of said projectable fold
lines;
stiffening means associated with said non-projectable fold lines
between each of said pleats, said stiffening means being defined by
a loop formed in said sheet-like material at each of said
non-projectable fold lines;
stiffening means associated with said ends of said flexible window
shade, said stiffening means being defined by a loop formed in said
sheet-like material at said ends of said flexible window shade;
retention means associated with said ends of said flexible window
shade, said retention means being adapted to operate in cooperation
with said guide tracks in a manner providing a resistance to
movement only for said ends of said flexible window shade relative
to said guide tracks sufficient to maintain both of said ends of
said flexible window shade in any selected position of adjustment
relative to said guide tracks, and slide means associated with
opposite ends of every one of said non-projectable fold lines;
said slide means cooperating with said guide tracks for moving said
non-projectable fold lines of said flexible window shade, said
slide means comprising slide members captured in free-sliding
fashion within said guide tracks so as to facilitate free-sliding
movement of said flexible window shade inwardly of said ends
thereof for positioning said flexible window shade in any selected
position of adjustment relative to said guide tracks in
accordian-like fashion, said slide members maintaining said
non-projectable fold lines of said flexible window shade in said
plane defined by said guide tracks;
each of said loops in said sheet-like material at each of said ends
of said flexible window shade being adapted to receive a dowel-like
member, and including a dowel-like member in each of said loops in
said sheet-like material at each of said ends of said flexible
window shade to further define said stiffening means;
said retention means including a non-rotational slider operatively
associated with opposite ends of each of said dowel-like members in
each of said loops at said ends of said flexible window shade, said
dowel-like members comprising conduit-like members and said
non-rotational sliders each being disposed in captured sliding
relation within one of said guide tracks, said non-rotational
sliders also each being biased by a spring away from the respective
one of said conduit-like members toward the corresponding one of
said guide tracks;
one of said slide members being secured to each of said opposite
ends of said non-projectable fold lines;
whereby said non-rotational sliders can be moved relative to said
guide tracks to move said flexible window shade in accordian-like
fashion from a closed position covering said window to an open
position revealing said window by moving said ends of said flexible
window shade against resistance to movement of said retention means
relative to said guide tracks so as to be in close proximity at any
point therealong.
20. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 19 wherein each
of said loops in said sheet-like material at said projectable fold
lines is adapted to receive one of said conduit-like members, and
including a conduit-like member in each of said loops in said
sheet-like material at said projectable fold lines to further
define said stiffening means.
21. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 19 wherein each
of said conduit-like members has a bore extending therethrough,
said non-rotational sliders each including a spindle portion
adapted to be disposed in one of said bores for sliding movement
relative thereto, said non-rotational sliders also each including a
slotted longitudinally extending H-shaped guide track follower
adapted to be captured within one of said guide tracks.
22. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 21 wherein said
guide tracks each include a pair of inwardly projecting flanges
defining a narrowed track opening, said H-shaped guide track
followers each including a first follower portion adapted to be
disposed within said guide track and a second follower portion
adapted to be disposed outwardly of said guide track, said H-shaped
guide track followers also each including a slot between said first
and second follower portions to receive said inwardly projecting
flanges.
23. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 19 including
adjustment means associated with said non-rotational sliders and
said conduit-like members, said adjustment means being adapted to
vary the extent of projection of said non-rotational sliders from
said conduit-like members to accommodate differences in spacing
between said guide tracks, said adjustment means also being adapted
to vary the force by which said non-rotational sliders are biased
by said springs toward said guide tracks.
24. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 23 wherein each
of said conduit-like members has a bore extending therethrough,
said retention means including a threaded insert in each of the
opposite ends of each of said conduit-like members and a threaded
non-rotational slider-receiving extension for threaded engagement
with each of said threaded inserts, said threaded non-rotational
slider-receiving extensions being adapted to project at varying
distances from said conduit-like members.
25. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 24 including
means for securing said threaded non-rotational slider-receiving
extensions in selected positions of adjustment, said threaded
non-rotational slider-receiving extensions each having a main bore
interrupted by an internal shoulder having a smaller bore
therethrough, said spring being disposed in said main bore to rest
against said internal shoulder.
26. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 25 wherein said
non-rotational sliders each include a spindle portion having a
major and a minor diameter portion, said major diameter portion
being adapted to be disposed in said main bore of said threaded
non-rotational slider-receiving extension for sliding movement
relative thereto and in engagement with said spring, said minor
diameter portion being adapted to be disposed for movement through
said smaller bore when said non-rotational slider compresses said
spring by movement toward said conduit-like member.
27. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 26 wherein said
threaded non-rotational slider-receiving extensions each include an
enlarged cylindrical projection, said non-rotational sliders each
including a cylindrical boss adapted to be disposed within a bore
in said enlarged cylindrical projection of one of said threaded
non-rotational slider-receiving extensions.
28. The window shade assembly as defined by claim 19 wherein said
non-rotational sliders each include a slotted longitudinally
extending H-shaped guide track follower adapted to be captured
within one of said guide tracks, said guide tracks each including a
pair of inwardly projecting flanges defining a narrow track
opening, said guide track followers each including a first follower
portion adapted to be disposed within said guide track and a second
follower portion adapted to be disposed outwardly of said guide
track, said H-shaped guide track followers also each including a
slot between said first and second follower portions to receive
said inwardly projecting flanges.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to window coverings and, more
particularly, to a window shade assembly for positioning in
infinitely variable positions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Over the years, many different types of window coverings have been
proposed. It is generally recognized that window coverings of one
type or another are desirable for a wide variety of reasons
including privacy, aesthetics, and environmental, i.e., to soften
or eliminate the influx of sunlight in daytime and to help in terms
of heating and cooling requirements by establishing an additional
thermal barrier. For these purposes, curtains, blinds and shades
have experienced widespread utilization.
Generally speaking, it has been thought that such curtains, blinds
and shades are satisfactory in most respects. They do, for
instance, accomplish the functions of affording privacy, providing
aesthetic window treatments, and, in some instances, accomplishing
environmental objectives. Nevertheless, they have been found
lacking in the degree of versatility that would be considered
desirable in a most important respect.
Specifically, it has generally been recognized, especially with
regard to window shades, that they must be mounted at the top of a
window. This, of course, is also true for blinds and curtains
which, similarly, are mounted at the top of a window and, in the
case of window shades and blinds, intended to be raised and lowered
relative to the top of the window for opening and closing purposes,
respectively. As a result, there has been no window treatment
available which has departed to any significant extent from what is
regarded by most to be a conventional mounting.
In this connection, it is generally recognized that it would be
desirable to have a window covering that could be placed in an
infinite variety of positions. For instance, it might be desirable,
depending upon window placement, to be able to cover a lower half
of a window by means of a shade or the like whereby the top sash
could be lowered for ventilation purposes while still giving the
requisite degree of privacy. Also, based upon the position of the
sun, it might be desirable to cover a midportion of a window to
block the sun but to otherwise not obscure the view from the
window.
In any event, this has simply been impossible to achieve in an
entirely satisfactory fashion with any of the conventional window
treatments that have been available to the consuming public. This
relates principally to the fact that such window treatments have
consistently been designed to be mounted at the top of a window
and, thus, can only operate so as to be opened in a single
direction and, of course, are severely limited in terms of the
portion and degree of the window that can be obscured thereby. In
an attempt to overcome these problems, Judge U.S. Pat. No. 604,329
proposes a window shade that is mounted relative to the side frame
of a window.
Unfortunately, the Judge '329 window shade would essentially be
inoperative since it was designed in a manner where it would be
nearly impossible to operate. It utilized roller tension devices
associated with every one of a plurality of rigid, hinged slats
that cooperate with side mounted tracks. With this arrangement, it
would be necessary to individually move every one of the roller
tension devices to reposition the window shade.
In view of the foregoing, it is a principal object of the present
invention to provide a window shade assembly that effectively and
efficiently permits an essentially infinite positioning in relation
to a window.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a window shade
assembly having a flexible window shade and a pair of guide tracks
adapted to receive and support the window shade so as to be placed
in any position relative thereto. The flexible window shade is
sized to cover a window and formed to have a plurality of pleats
therein. Each of the pleats is defined by a first fold portion and
a second fold portion which together form a double fold. The
flexible window shade is formed to have the pleats substantially
from one end to the other end thereof. The pair of guide tracks is
adapted to be fixedly mounted to a frame of the window in spaced
parallel relation. Each of the guide tracks is to extend generally
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the pleats. The
guide tracks also are adapted to be spaced by a distance sufficient
for positioning the pleats therebetween. By utilizing retention
means associated with the ends of the flexible window shade and
slide means associated with non-projectable fold lines
therebetween, it is possible to position the window shade in an
infinite variety of positions.
More particularly, each of the pleats preferably has a projectable
fold line between the first and second fold portions forming the
double fold thereof. The projectable fold line is moveable from a
position generally corresponding to a plane defined by the guide
tracks when the flexible window shade is closed to cover the window
to positions gradually increasing in distance therefrom to a
maximum projecting position as the flexible window shade is opened
to most fully reveal the window. Further, each of the pleats also
is preferably integrally associated by means of one of the
non-projectable fold lines with the next adjacent of the
pleats.
With this construction, the retention means are associated with the
ends of the flexible window shade. Advantageously, the retention
means are adapted to cooperate with the guide tracks to maintain
the ends of the flexible window shade in any selected position of
adjustment relative to the guide tracks. Additionally, the slide
means are associated with opposite ends of the non-projectable fold
lines.
In a preferred embodiment, the slide means cooperates with the
guide tracks for moving the non-projectable fold lines of the
flexible window shade to any selected position of adjustment
relative to the guide tracks in free-sliding fashion while at the
same time maintaining the non-projectable fold lines of the
flexible window shade in the plane defined by the guide tracks. In
this manner, only the retention means at opposite ends of the
flexible window shade need be moved relative to the guide tracks to
move the entire flexible window shade in accordian-like fashion
from a closed position covering the window to an open position
revealing the window with the ends of the flexible window shade
then in close proximity at any point along the guide tracks, as
desired.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention
will become apparent from a consideration of the following
specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a window shade assembly in
accordance with the present invention with the window shade in a
fully closed position;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 1 but with the
shade partially opened intermediate the top and bottom of a
window;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 1 with the
window shade substantially completely opened at the bottom of the
window;
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 1 with the
window shade substantially completely opened at the top of the
window;
FIG. 5 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 1 with the
window shade opened only at the top of the window;
FIG. 6 is a partial front elevational view, partially in section,
illustrating the window shade assembly in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of FIG.
6;
FIG. 8 is a front elevational view, partially in section, of one
embodiment of retention means in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 9 is an exploded front elevational view, partially in section,
of another embodiment of retention means in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 10 is across-sectional view of an assembled form of the
retention means illustrated in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 11--11 of FIG.
3;
FIG. 12 is an exploded front elevational view, partially in
section, of still another embodiment of retention means in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled form of the
retention means illustrated in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of an assembled form of the
retention means illustrated in FIG. 12;
FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of a non-rotational slider of
the retention means illustrated in FIG. 12; and
FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the non-rotational slider of the
retention means illustrated in FIG. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1, the reference
numeral 20 designates generally a window shade assembly in
accordance with the present invention. The window shade assembly 20
includes a flexible window shade 22 sized to cover a window 24 (see
FIG. 2) and formed to have a plurality of pleats 26 therein (see
FIGS. 7 and 11). Each of the pleats 26 is defined by a first fold
portion 28 and a second fold portion 30 which together form a
double fold. The window shade assembly 20 is also formed to have
the pleats 26 substantially from one end 32 to the other end 34 of
the flexible window shade 22. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the flexible
window shade 22 can entirely cover the window 24, can partially
cover the window 24 (FIGS. 2 and 5), or can be substantially
entirely opened to reveal almost all of the window 24 (FIGS. 3 and
4).
Referring to FIGS. 6, 8 and 10, the window shade assembly 20 will
include a pair of guide tracks 36 adapted to be fixedly mounted in
spaced parallel relation to a frame of the window 24. More
particularly, the guide tracks (such as 36) are adapted to be
mounted vertically in the window 24 illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 so as
to extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal (or
horizontal) direction of the pleats 26. As will be appreciated by
referring to FIG. 6, illustrating one side of a window shade
assembly 20, the guide tracks 36 are also adapted to be spaced by a
distance sufficient for positioning the pleats 26 therebetween.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, each of the pleats 26 has a projectable
fold line 38 between the first and second fold portions 28 and 30
forming the double fold thereof. The projectable fold line 38 is
movable from a position generally corresponding to a plane defined
by the guide tracks 36 (as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) when the
flexible window shade 22 is closed (as shown in FIG. 1) to cover
the window 24 to positions gradually increasing in distance
therefrom to a maximum projecting position (as shown in FIG. 11) as
the flexible window shade 22 is substantially completely opened (as
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) to most fully reveal the window 24.
Further, each of the pleats 26 also is integrally associated by
means of a non-projectable fold line 40 with the next adjacent of
the pleats 26.
As will be appreciated by referring to FIG. 8, the window shade
assembly 20 also includes retention means generally designated 42
which are associated with the ends 32 and 34 of the flexible window
shade 22. The retention means 42 are adapted to cooperate with the
guide tracks 36 to maintain the ends 32 and 34 of the flexible
window shade 22 in any selected position of adjustment relative to
the guide tracks 36. Furthermore, the window shade assembly 20
includes slide means generally designated 44 (see FIG. 6) which are
associated with opposite ends of the non-projectable fold lines
40.
As shown in FIG. 6, the slide means 44 cooperate with the guide
tracks 36 for moving the non-projectable fold lines 40 of the
flexible window shade 22 to any selected position of adjustment
relative to the guide tracks 36 in free-sliding fashion while at
the same time maintaining the non-projectable fold lines 40 of the
flexible window shade 22 in the plane defined by the guide tracks
36. With this arrangement, the retention means 42 can be moved
relative to the guide tracks 36 to move the flexible window shade
22 in accordian-like fashion from a closed position covering the
window (FIG. 1) to an open position revealing some or all of the
window (FIGS. 2-5) by moving the ends 32 and 34 of the flexible
window shade 22 relative to the guide tracks 36 so as to be in
close proximity at any point therealong.
Referring to FIG. 7, the window shade assembly 20 preferably
includes stiffening means associated with the projectable fold line
38 of each of the pleats 26. In this connection, the flexible
window shade 22 is preferably formed of a sheet-like material and
the stiffening means is defined by a loop 46 formed in the
sheet-like material at each of the projectable fold lines 38. As
shown, the loops 46 each are adapted to receive a dowel-like member
48 to further define the stiffening means while giving greater
definition to the projectable fold lines 38.
Similarly, the window shade assembly 20 includes stiffening means
associated with the non-projectable fold lines 40 between each of
the pleats 26. The stiffening means is again at least defined by a
loop 50 formed in the sheet-like material at each of the
non-projectable fold lines 40. However, for reasons that will
become apparent from the discussion hereinafter, it is believed to
be unnecessary to utilize a dowel-like member in the loops 50.
Still referring to FIG. 7, the window shade assembly 20 further
includes stiffening means associated with the ends 32 and 34 of the
flexible window shade 22. The stiffening means are again defined by
a loop 52 formed in the sheet-like material at each of the ends 32
and 34 of the flexible window shade 22. As with the loops 46 at the
projectable fold lines 38, the loops 52 in the ends 32 and 34 of
the flexible window shade 22 are each adapted to receive a suitably
sized dowel-like member 54.
As shown in FIG. 8, the retention means 42 include a roller 56
operatively associated with opposite ends of each of the dowel-like
members 54. The rollers 56 each are disposed in captured rolling
relation within one of the guide tracks 36. As shown, the rollers
56 are also each biased by a spring 58 away from the respective one
of the dowels 54 toward the corresponding one of the guide tracks
36.
Referring again to FIG. 6, the slide means 44 include loose-fitting
slide members 60 secured to the flexible window shade 22. One of
the slide members 60 is secured to each of the opposite ends of
each of the non-projectable fold lines 50. Compared with the
rollers 56, the slide members 60 are each disposed in captured but
freesliding fashion within one of the guide tracks 36.
Referring specifically to FIG. 8, each of the dowels preferably has
a bore 62 to receive one of the rollers 56 in each of the opposite
ends thereof. More particularly, the rollers 56 each include a
spindle portion 64 adapted to be disposed in one of the bores 62 in
a loose-fitting fashion for sliding and rolling movement relative
thereto. With this arrangement, the rollers 56 also each include a
slotted wheel portion 66 adapted to be captured within one of the
guide tracks 36.
Referring to FIG. 10, the guide tracks 36 each include a pair of
inwardly projecting flanges 36a and 36b defining a narrowed track
opening 68. While another embodiment of roller is illustrated in
FIG. 10 and will be described in detail hereinafter, it will be
appreciated that the slotted wheel portion 66 of the roller 56
illustrated in FIG. 8 can include a first wheel portion 66a adapted
to be disposed within the guide track 36 and a second wheel portion
66b adapted to be disposed outwardly of the guide track 36. With
this arrangement, the slotted wheel portions 66 also each include a
slot 66c between the first and second wheel portions 66a and 66b to
receive the inwardly projecting flanges 36a and 36b.
With the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 8, the springs 58 are
disposed about the spindle portions 64 of the rollers 56 so as to
be disposed between the dowel-like members 54 and the second wheel
portions 66b to bias the rollers 56 toward the guide tracks 36.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the window shade
assembly 20 includes adjustment means associated with the rollers
56' and the dowel-like members 54. The adjustment means is adapted
to vary the extent of projection of the rollers 56' from the
dowel-like members 54 to accommodate differences in spacing between
the guide tracks 36. In addition, the adjustment means is adapted
to vary the force by which the rollers 56' are biased by the
springs 58' toward the guide tracks 36.
With the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, each of the
dowels 54 has a bore 62' in opposite ends thereof. The retention
means generally designated 42' each include a threaded insert 70 in
the bores 62' in the dowel-like members 54 and a threaded
roller-receiving extension 72 for threaded engagement with each of
the threaded inserts 70. As a result, the threaded roller-receiving
extensions 72 are adapted to project at varying distances from the
dowel-like members 54.
Preferably, means such as the jam nut 74 are provided for securing
the threaded roller-receiving extensions 72 in selected positions
of adjustment. The threaded roller-receiving extensions 72 each
have a main bore 76 interrupted by an internal shoulder 78 having a
smaller bore 80 therethrough. As will be appreciated, the springs
58' are each disposed in the respective one of the main bores 76 to
rest against the corresponding internal shoulder 78 where they can
act against the respective one of the rollers 56'.
As before, the rollers 56' each include a spindle portion 64' but
the spindle portion 64' has a major diameter portion 64a' and a
minor diameter portion 64b'. The major diameter portion 64a' is
adapted to be disposed in the main bore 76 of the threaded
roller-receiving extension 72 in loose fitting fashion for sliding
and rolling movement relative thereto and in engagement with the
spring 58'. As will be appreciated, the minor diameter portion 64b'
is adapted to be disposed for movement through the smaller bore 80
when the roller 56' compresses the spring 58' by movement toward
the dowel-like member 54.
While shaped slightly differently, the rollers 56' also each
include a slotted wheel portion 66' adapted to be captured within
one of the guide tracks 36. It will be seen that the slotted wheel
portions 66' will each include a first wheel portion 66a' and a
second wheel portion 66b' as well as a slot 66c' therebetween. As
before, the inwardly projecting flanges 36a and 36b will be
received within the slot 66c' between the first and second wheel
portions 66a' and 66b', respectively.
In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12-16, the window
shade assembly 20 includes adjustment means associated with the
non-rotational sliders 56" and the conduit-like members 54". The
adjustment means is adapted to vary the extent of projection of the
non-rotational sliders 56" from the conduit-like members 54" to
accommodate differences in spacing between the guide tracks 36. In
addition, the adjustment means is adapted to vary the force by
which the non-rotational sliders 56" are biased by the springs 58"
toward the guide tracks 36.
With the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12-16, each of
the conduit-like members 54" has a bore 62" preferably extending
entirely therethrough. The retention means generally designated 42"
each include a threaded insert 70" kick-pressed into the opposite
ends of each of the conduit-like members 54" and a threaded
non-rotational slider-receiving extension 72" for threaded
engagement with each of the threaded inserts 70". As a result, the
threaded non-rotational slider-receiving extensions 72" are adapted
to project at varying distances from the conduit-like members
54".
Preferably, as before, means such as the jam nut 74" are provided
for securing the threaded non-rotational slider-receiving
extensions 72" in selected positions of adjustment. The threaded
non-rotational slider-receiving extensions 72" each have a main
bore 76" interrupted by an internal shoulder 78" having a smaller
bore 80" therethrough. As will be appreciated, the springs 58" are
each disposed in the respective one of the main bores 76" to rest
against the corresponding internal shoulder 78" where they can act
against the respective one of the non-rotational sliders 56".
Also as before, the non-rotational sliders 56" each include a
spindle portion 64" but the spindle portion 64" has a major
diameter portion 64a" and a minor diameter portion 64b". The major
diameter portion 64a" is adapted to be disposed in the main bore
76" of the threaded non-rotational slider-receiving extension 72"
in loose-fitting fashion for sliding movement relative thereto and
in engagement with the spring 58". As will be appreciated, the
minor diameter portion 64b" is adapted to be disposed for movement
through the smaller bore 80" when the non-rotational 56" compresses
the spring 58" by movement toward the conduit-like member 54".
Unlike the rollers 56' in FIGS. 9 and 10, the non-rotational
sliders 56" each preferably include a slotted, longitudinally
extending H-shaped guide track follower 66" adapted to be captured
within one of the guide tracks 36. It will be seen that the
H-shaped guide track followers 66" will each include a first
follower portion 66a" and a second follower portion 66b" as well as
a longitudinally extending slot 66c" therebetween. As before, the
inwardly projecting flanges 36a and 36b of the guide track 36 will
be received within the longitudinally extending slot 66c" between
the first and second follower portions 66a" and 66b",
respectively.
By reason of the longitudinal extent of the H-shaped guide track
followers 66", the ends 32 and 34 of the window shade assembly 20
can only be moved relative to the guide tracks 36 in a manner
whereby they remain generally horizontal in the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 12-16. This is largely insured by maintaining
appropriate tolerances between the flanges 36a and 36b and the
slots 66c" whereby positioning of H-shaped guide track followers
66" in other than a generally horizontal plane is essentially
precluded. Of course, this is also controlled in the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 12-16 by maintaining appropriate tolerances
between the spindle portions 64" of the non-rotational sliders 56"
and the bores 76" in the threaded non-rotational slider-receiving
extensions 72.
As perhaps best shown in FIG. 13, the threaded non-rotational
slider-receiving extension 72" is formed in a manner somewhat
different from the threaded roller-receiving extension 72. It will
be seen, in particular, that the threaded non-rotational
slider-receiving extension 72" includes an enlarged cylindrical
projection 82 having a bore 84 greater in diameter than the main
bore 76" so as to receive a cylindrical boss 86 of substantially
the same diameter therewithin. By once again controlling the
tolerances of the bore 84 in the enlarged cylindrical projection 82
and the cylindrical boss 86, this additional structure adds further
stability to insure maintaining the ends 32 and 34 of the window
shade assembly 20 in a generally horizontal plane in the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 12-16.
With the present invention, a truly versatile window shade assembly
which is particularly advantageous for a vertically raised and
lowered shade which can also be mounted for horizontally opened and
closed shade operation has been successfully provided. It is
possible with this window shade assembly to position a flexible
window shade in any of an essentially infinite variety of positions
from one completely covering a window to one substantially entirely
revealing the window with the shade at either the top or bottom
thereof (when mounted for vertical operation as illustrated in the
drawings) or at any intermediate position relative to the top or
bottom of the window with any extent of the window revealed. In
addition, the window shade assembly is environmentally more sound,
aesthetically more pleasing, and functionally far superior to any
previously available window shade.
While in the foregoing there have been set forth preferred
embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that the
details herein given may be varied without departing from the
spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *